Factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike were preparing for a scheduled meeting at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja on Monday as the party’s leadership dispute continues, party officials said.
The planned access to the PDP national secretariat at Wadata Plaza followed a Federal High Court judgment in Ibadan, which recognised a caretaker committee backed by the Wike faction as the party’s leadership pending a valid convention.
The leadership dispute stems from a long‑running power struggle between a faction aligned with Makinde and governors and the Wike‑backed caretaker committee.
The Makinde faction claims legitimacy from the party’s November 2025 convention in Ibadan, while the caretaker committee maintains its authority based on the court ruling.
Samuel Anyanwu, national secretary of the Wike‑backed PDP faction, said his group planned to take over and reopen the national secretariat on Monday to enable party activities, including the sale of nomination and ad‑hoc forms for an upcoming convention.
Jogudo Mohammed, publicity secretary of the caretaker committee, said the secretariat would undergo fumigation and cleanup before party activities resumed, adding that the court judgment remained in force unless set aside by a superior court.
The caretaker committee also said it expected security agencies to comply with the court judgment and remove barricades at the party headquarters.
The Makinde‑aligned Turaki‑led National Working Committee (NWC) cautioned against “self‑help measures,” noting that appeals in the courts were still pending and that security agencies would be responsible for maintaining order.
Ini Ememobong, national publicity secretary of the Turaki NWC, said the legal matter was before the Court of Appeal and urged restraint from party members amid the scheduled activities.
Mohammed said: “Yes. Tomorrow, Monday, 9th February, we expect that the office, Wadata Plaza, will be open for party activities.”
Ememobong said: “Whatever happens, even if people are physically attacked, if property is burned, if violence breaks out, or anything at all, all will be on the head of the police.”
The planned meeting at the PDP national headquarters is part of an ongoing leadership dispute within one of Nigeria’s major political parties as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.
Continued legal actions and organisational meetings reflect broader tensions in party structures that could influence internal party unity and preparations for future elections.
